Sanchez Shines In Dubai

Karate’s biggest stars shined bright on Sunday in the final day of the Karate 1-Premier League Dubai, as some of the world’s best would earn more gold on the road to Olympic qualifiers.

Spain’s Sandra Sanchez would earn her first gold medal of the young season, when she would defeate defending Grand Winner, Kiyou Shimizu of Japan in the finals of the female Kata.

“I am very happy because this gold medal gives me confidence after winning the title in the World Championships in Spain at home. It also gives me hope to continue working this hard,” said Sanchez who earned her fourth consecutive title in Dubai.

“I told Kiyou (Shimizu) that it is better this way: each one of us can alternate the victories in the events (as Shimizu won gold in Paris) so we can continue making the competition interesting,” joked the Grand Winner of Spain.

Two rising stars of the sport, Steven Dacosta and Gwendoline Philippe of France, would earn gold on the final day in the UAE,

For Dacosta, it was his third consecutive gold in international competition, as the 21-year old would edge Didar Amirali in the finals of the Male Kumite -67kg.

Philippe would take a decision win over former world champion, Giana Lotfy of Egypt in the finals of the Female Kumite -61kg after the bout ended with a 0-0 tie.

Fellow French competitor Anne Laure Florentin would defeat current European champion Clio Ferracuti 5-2 in the finals of the Female Kumite +68 KG, allowing the nation to leave Dubai with three gold medals.

The Karate 1-Premier League will travel to Rabat (Morocco) where the third event of the season will take place from April 19-21.

Initial Report: WKF